Browse H-1B visa sponsorship data across all US states and territories. View employers, salaries, and sponsorship trends organized by region.
25,702 filings · 13 states
The West region accounts for 29.4% of all H-1B filings, led by California with 16,176 filings. Average salaries range from $73,802 in Montana to $167,447 in Washington.
11,546 filings · 12 states
The Midwest region accounts for 13.2% of all H-1B filings, led by Illinois with 3,604 filings. Average salaries range from $75,893 in North Dakota to $139,232 in Minnesota.
17,273 filings · 9 states
The Northeast region accounts for 19.8% of all H-1B filings, led by New York with 6,372 filings. Average salaries range from $118,672 in New Hampshire to $172,304 in Maine.
17,417 filings · 15 states
The Southeast region accounts for 19.9% of all H-1B filings, led by North Carolina with 3,971 filings. Average salaries range from $103,834 in Mississippi to $230,264 in West Virginia.
15,249 filings · 2 states
The Southwest region accounts for 17.5% of all H-1B filings, led by Texas with 15,101 filings. Average salaries range from $116,869 in Oklahoma to $135,646 in Texas.
The table below ranks the top 15 U.S. states by H-1B visa filings, showing average salary, cost of living index, COL-adjusted salary, and number of sponsoring employers.
| # | State | Filings | Avg Salary | COL Index | COL-Adj Salary | Employers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 16,176 | $164,730 | 127 | $129,709 | 1,706 |
| 2 | Texas | 15,101 | $135,646 | 95 | $142,785 | 2,383 |
| 3 | New York | 6,372 | $153,741 | 122 | $126,017 | 1,083 |
| 4 | Washington | 5,886 | $167,447 | 119 | $140,712 | 589 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 4,431 | $131,148 | 117 | $112,092 | 1,023 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 3,971 | $127,435 | 97 | $131,376 | 936 |
| 7 | Illinois | 3,604 | $129,701 | 105 | $123,525 | 785 |
| 8 | Georgia | 3,387 | $126,759 | 98 | $129,346 | 852 |
| 9 | Florida | 2,868 | $138,579 | 102 | $135,862 | 721 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 2,825 | $134,206 | 120 | $111,838 | 610 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 2,369 | $122,173 | 102 | $119,777 | 590 |
| 12 | Virginia | 2,320 | $139,271 | 107 | $130,160 | 623 |
| 13 | Michigan | 2,044 | $122,579 | 97 | $126,370 | 414 |
| 14 | Ohio | 1,810 | $124,420 | 94 | $132,362 | 429 |
| 15 | Arizona | 1,215 | $130,121 | 100 | $130,121 | 362 |
States where H-1B salaries go furthest after adjusting for cost of living:
| # | State | Avg Salary | COL Index | COL-Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $230,264 | 87 | $264,671 |
| 2 | Maine | $172,304 | 106 | $162,551 |
| 3 | Arkansas | $137,078 | 88 | $155,770 |
| 4 | Nevada | $151,863 | 98 | $154,962 |
| 5 | Texas | $135,646 | 95 | $142,785 |
States where cost of living most reduces the value of H-1B salaries:
| # | State | Avg Salary | COL Index | COL-Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgin Islands | $61,281 | 100 | $61,281 |
| 2 | Montana | $73,802 | 99 | $74,547 |
| 3 | Guam | $76,585 | 100 | $76,585 |
| 4 | Puerto Rico | $68,835 | 85 | $80,982 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $75,893 | 92 | $82,492 |
California leads all states with 16,176 H-1B visa filings. It is followed by Texas and New York in total filing volume.
The national average H-1B salary across all states is approximately $140,812. Salaries vary significantly by state, with high-cost states like California and New York often offering higher nominal salaries to offset cost of living.
After adjusting for cost of living, West Virginia offers the best salary value for H-1B workers with a COL-adjusted salary of $264,671. States with lower cost of living indices often provide more purchasing power despite lower nominal salaries.
H-1B salaries tend to be highest in the West and Northeast regions, driven by tech hubs in California, Washington, New York, and Massachusetts. The Midwest and Southeast often offer lower nominal salaries but better purchasing power due to lower cost of living.
There are over 16,470 unique employer-state sponsorship combinations tracked across all states. Major tech companies, consulting firms, and healthcare organizations dominate H-1B sponsorship in most states. Visit individual state pages for detailed employer breakdowns.
Cost of living can significantly impact the real value of an H-1B salary. A $100,000 salary in a state with a COL index of 85 provides more purchasing power than the same salary in a state with a COL index of 125. Our COL-adjusted salary figures normalize salaries to a baseline of 100, making it easier to compare real value across states.
Our database currently tracks 87,338 H-1B visa filings across 55 states and territories. Filing volumes vary by year and are concentrated in states with large technology, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
Key factors include salary levels, cost of living, number of sponsoring employers in your field, state tax rates, and quality of life. States with more H-1B employers offer more job options, while lower-cost states may provide better purchasing power. Consider both nominal salary and COL-adjusted salary when evaluating opportunities.